JP3838759B2 - Voice communication method, communication route notification device, and telephone exchange network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a voice communication method, a communication route notification device suitable for the implementation thereof, and a telephone exchange network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When voice communication is performed using an electronic exchange, the caller inputs numbers for identifying the incoming exchange and the incoming telephone from the telephone.
[0003]
The originating exchange analyzes this number to determine the connection route to the terminating exchange. Specifically, a specific trunk circuit is selected from a large number of trunk circuits included in the originating exchange so that the connection route is realized. Next, the originating exchange sends number information for identifying the terminating telephone to the terminating exchange. When the number information is sent, the originating exchange connects the selected trunk circuit with the originating telephone. The outgoing telephone connected to the trunk circuit is in a state where it can hear the ringing tone of the incoming telephone (so-called ringback tone: RBT) returned from the incoming telephone.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when voice communication is performed using an electronic exchange, a plurality of communication routes for connecting the originating exchange and the incoming exchange are often prepared. However, the degree of congestion of the communication route is detected, a free communication route is automatically selected from the plurality of communication routes, and voice communication is performed via the selected communication route.
[0005]
When each of the plurality of communication routes is a circuit switched network (typically a general telephone line) using the same type of transmission device, the sound quality of each communication route can be regarded as uniform.
[0006]
However, for example, a telephone exchange network that uses a first voice communication route using a circuit-switched network and a second voice communication route via the Internet that is expected to be used in earnest in the near future. If the second voice communication route is to be constructed, it is considered that the sound quality is inferior. This is because, in the case of the latter route, for example, voice is packetized and communication is performed, so that it is considered that sound quality deterioration due to delay due to packetization occurs.
[0007]
If the network is designed to select the second voice communication route at the intention of the caller, there is no problem because the above-mentioned sound quality degradation is already known by the caller. However, in the case of a network in which the second voice communication route is automatically selected when the first voice communication route is not available, the caller feels uncomfortable without knowing the cause of the deterioration of the sound quality. Furthermore, there is anxiety that there is some failure in the exchange equipment and communication equipment.
[0008]
Such a problem is not limited to the case where the second voice communication route is a route via the Internet, but the second voice communication route is a route adopting a communication method in which information is compressed at a high compression rate, This also occurs when the communication route has a large signal attenuation rate.
[0009]
Therefore, it is possible to solve the above-mentioned problem when voice communication is performed by automatically selecting one route from the first voice communication route and the second voice communication route having poor sound quality compared to the route. A method is desired. Also suitable devices and networks for implementing the method are desired.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) Therefore, according to the voice communication method of the present application, the first voice communication route and the first voice communication route having one or more second voice communication routes having poorer sound quality than the first voice communication route, of the first voice communication route when a voice communication route is free, also when not empty the second voice communication route, automatically selects, when communicate voice, second voice If a communication route is selected, at least the caller is notified to that effect.
[0011]
According to the voice communication method of the present invention, when communication is performed via the second voice communication route, the caller can recognize that fact. Therefore, even if sound quality degradation is felt during the communication, it can be understood that the cause is that the second voice communication route has been selected. Therefore, the degree of anxiety and worry about equipment failure is reduced. In addition, the caller can inform the communication partner that the current sound quality degradation is due to the use of the second voice communication route. Can do.
[0012]
In carrying out the invention of the voice communication method, the caller is notified that the second voice communication route is selected, and may be automatically notified to the communication partner. Of course it is good.
[0013]
In carrying out the invention of the voice communication method, when the voice communication is performed using a telephone, the notification is started before a sound (RBT) for calling the called telephone is received by the calling telephone. good. It can be said that it is more meaningful to notify the caller that the second communication route has been selected at such timing because the caller can be notified before the call. Moreover, the idle time of communication can be used effectively.
[0014]
The notification method is not particularly limited as long as it can notify the caller. However, preferably at least one of audible sound and display is performed.
[0015]
When using an audible sound, notification using a telephone that the caller is holding on to the ear can be performed. In the case of display, notification using a display unit generally provided at a suitable position of the telephone can be performed.
[0016]
In carrying out the invention of the voice communication method, it is preferable that the first voice communication route is a route composed of a circuit switched network and the second voice communication route is a route via the Internet.
[0017]
This is because such a communication network is expected to be realized on a large scale in the near future. However, in such a communication network, the sound quality of the second voice communication route via the Internet is expected to be poor as described above. Therefore, it is considered that the application effect of the present invention is remarkably exhibited.
[0018]
(2) It is preferable to prepare a communication route notification device having the following configuration in order to easily implement the voice communication method described above.
[0019]
That is, when the first voice communication route is vacant from the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communication routes having poor sound quality compared to the first voice communication route, The first voice communication route, and when not available, the second voice communication route is automatically selected and provided in the network for voice communication;
First means for detecting whether or not the second voice communication route is selected;
When the second voice communication route is selected, it is preferable to provide a communication route notification device including at least a second means for notifying the sender of that fact.
[0020]
(3) It is preferable to prepare a telephone exchange network having the following configuration in order to easily implement the voice communication method described above.
[0021]
That is, when the first voice communication route is vacant from the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communication routes having poor sound quality compared to the first voice communication route, A telephone exchange network that automatically selects one voice communication route and, when not available, the second voice communication route, and performs voice communication;
First means for detecting whether or not the second voice communication route is selected;
When the second voice communication route is selected, it is preferable to prepare a telephone exchange network including a communication route notification device including at least a second means for notifying the caller to that effect.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the voice communication method, communication route notification device, and telephone exchange network according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, each figure used for the following description is shown schematically to such an extent that these inventions can be understood. Moreover, in each figure used for description, the same number is attached | subjected and shown about the same structural component, The duplication description may be abbreviate | omitted.
[0023]
1. Description of Device Configuration FIG. 1 is an overall view when each invention of this application is applied to a telephone exchange network.
[0024]
The telephone exchange network 10 includes a plurality of electronic exchanges 20 and 40, telephones 20a and 40a connected to the respective exchanges 20 and 40, and a first voice communication route 61 connecting the exchanges 20 and 40. And a second voice communication route 63.
[0025]
An actual telephone exchange network has a large number of electronic exchanges and a large number of telephones connected to these exchanges, but they are omitted in FIG. Further, for convenience of explanation of the invention, the following explanation will be made assuming that the electronic exchange 20 is an originating exchange, the electronic exchange 40 is an incoming exchange, the telephone 20a is an outgoing telephone, and the telephone 40a is an incoming telephone.
[0026]
In this telephone switching network 10, the first voice communication route 61 (also simply referred to as the first route 61) is a route made up of a circuit switching network in this case.
[0027]
The second voice communication route 63 (which is also simply referred to as the second route 63) is a route with poor sound quality as compared to the first route 61, and in this case, is a route via the Internet.
[0028]
The outgoing exchange 20 automatically selects the first route 61 when the first route 61 is vacant and the second route 63 when the first route 61 is not vacant.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the exchange 20. Of course, since the exchange 40 may also be a transmission exchange, the internal configuration of the exchange 40 is also the configuration shown in FIG.
[0030]
The exchange 20 includes a subscriber circuit 21, a switch circuit 23, a tone transmission device 25, a first trunk circuit 27, a second trunk circuit 29, a central processing unit 31, and a main storage device 33. Prepare.
[0031]
The subscriber circuit 21 is provided between the telephone 20a and the switch circuit 25. The subscriber circuit 21 supplies a telephone call current to the telephone 20a, detects an off-hook signal, and the like. This subscriber circuit 21 is a conventionally known circuit.
[0032]
The switch circuit 23 switches the connection among the subscriber circuit 21, the tone transmission device 25, and the trunk circuits 27 and 29. This switch circuit 25 is a conventionally known circuit.
[0033]
A tone transmission device is a known device that generates audible sounds used in telephone communications.
[0034]
The first trunk circuit 27 is connected to the first voice communication route 61, and the second trunk circuit 29 is connected to the second voice communication route 63. Each of the first and second trunk circuits 27 and 29 can be a known trunk circuit.
[0035]
The central processing unit 31 controls the subscriber circuit 21, the switch circuit 23, the tone sending device 25, the first and second trunk circuits 27 and 29, and the main memory device 33, respectively.
[0036]
The main storage device 33 stores an operation program of the exchange 20 and various data. The data according to the present invention is included in the data stored in this way. That is, data for automatically selecting the first route 61 when the first route 61 is vacant and the second route 63 when the first route 61 is not vacant (hereinafter referred to as bypass data). .) 33a is also included.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the detour data 33a. The bypass data 33a is data prepared in advance for each telephone number input from the telephone 20a. In FIG. 3, an example of detour data between the exchange 20 and the exchange 40 is shown. The detour data 33a has a data structure such as data 33a1 for the first route 61, data 33a2 for the second route 63, and so on. In addition, the data is read in the order of data 33a1 and data 33a2 by the central processing unit 31. Each of the data 33a1, 33a2,... Is a trunk circuit number (TGN) and an attribute of a voice communication route connected to the trunk circuit, that is, in this example, a route composed of a circuit switched network, an Internet The data includes information indicating whether the route is via.
[0038]
In the telephone exchange network 10 of this embodiment, the communication route notification device 35 referred to in the present invention comprises a central processing unit 31, detour data 33a of the main storage device 33, a tone transmission device 25, and a switch circuit 23. it can. Further, the first means 35a for detecting whether or not the second route of the communication route notification device 35 is selected can be constituted by the central processing unit 31 and the bypass data 33a, and the second route is selected. The second means 35b for notifying at least the caller of the fact can be constituted by the central processing unit 31, the tone sending device 25, and the switch circuit 23. The reason for this will be described in detail later in the description of the operation, but is simply as follows.
[0039]
The central processing unit 31 analyzes the telephone number input by the caller using the telephone 20a. Then, according to the analysis result, the bypass data 33a for the incoming exchange 40 in the main storage device 33 is read sequentially from the data 33a1. The central processing unit 31 that has read the data 33a1 attempts to select the first trunk circuit 27. If the first trunk circuit 27 is not currently selected, the first trunk circuit 27 is selected as it is. Therefore, the communication route becomes the first route 61. If the first trunk circuit 27 is currently in use, the central processing unit 31 detects that fact and then reads the data 33a2 in the detour data 33a. The central processing unit 31 that has read the data 33 a 2 tries to select the second trunk circuit 29. If the second trunk circuit 29 is not currently selected, the second trunk circuit 27 is selected as it is. Therefore, the communication route becomes the second route 63. The data 33a2 includes information (attribute) indicating that the communication route selected by this data is the second route. Therefore, the central processing unit 31 detects whether or not the second route has been selected. As can be seen from this description, the first means 35a referred to in the present invention can be constituted by the central processing unit 31 and the detour data 33a.
[0040]
When the central processing unit 31 detects that the second route has been selected as described above, the central processing unit 31 controls the switch circuit 23 to connect the tone transmission unit 25 and the subscriber circuit 21. Thereby, the sound of the tone transmission device 25 is transmitted to the caller via the telephone 20a. Therefore, the caller can be notified that the second route has been selected. As can be understood from this description, the second means 35b referred to in the present invention can be constituted by the central processing unit 31, the tone sending unit 25, and the switch circuit 23. A guidance device and / or a display device provided in the telephone 20a may be used instead of or in combination with the tone transmission device 25. In this way, it is possible to notify that the second route has been selected using the guidance or the caller's vision.
[0041]
2. Description of Operation Next, the communication route notification operation performed in the above-described telephone exchange network 10 will be mainly described. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are explanatory diagrams for this purpose, and are mainly flowcharts showing control procedures performed by the central processing unit 31. FIG.
[0042]
The caller inputs the telephone number of the communication partner using the calling telephone 20a. The central processing unit 31 receives this telephone number (state S1). When the reception of the telephone number is completed (event S2), the central processing unit 31 analyzes the received telephone number (processing S3). As a result, the central processing unit 31 obtains information for specifying the terminating exchange 40 (processing S4).
[0043]
Next, the central processing unit 31 accesses the detour data 33a for the incoming exchange 40 in the main storage device 33 by using the obtained information about the incoming exchange 40. Then, one of the trunk circuits is selected based on the detour data 33a (processing S5).
[0044]
That is, the central processing unit 31 reads the detour data 33a in order from the data 33a1. The central processing unit 31 that has read the data 33a1 attempts to select the first trunk circuit 27. If the first trunk circuit 27 is not currently selected, the first trunk circuit 27 is selected as it is. Therefore, the communication route becomes the first route 61. If the first trunk circuit 27 is currently in use, the central processing unit 31 detects that fact and then reads the data 33a2 in the detour data 33a. The central processing unit 31 that has read the data 33 a 2 tries to select the second trunk circuit 29. If the second trunk circuit 29 is not currently selected, the second trunk circuit 29 is selected as it is. Therefore, the communication route becomes the second route 63. Of course, when all the trunk lines are occupied, the corresponding processing is performed as in the conventional case.
[0045]
When one of the first and second trunk circuits 27 and 29 is selected, the central processing unit 31 makes a number information transmission request to the terminating exchange 40 for the selected trunk circuit (processing) S6). That is, a request for sending number information of the incoming telephone is made.
[0046]
Further, the central processing unit 31 detects from the attribute data stored in the detour data 33a whether the currently selected voice communication route is the first route or the second route. Further, it is determined whether or not the selected voice communication route is the second route (processing S7).
[0047]
The detection and determination of whether the selected voice communication route is the first route or the second route may be performed in parallel with the operations of the above-described processing S5 and processing S6.
[0048]
When the selected voice communication route is the first route 61, that is, a route composed of a circuit switching network, the central processing unit 31 performs the same processing as that of the conventional telephone exchange. That is, it waits for the first trunk circuit 27 to finish sending the number information of the incoming telephone to the incoming exchange 40 (state S8). When the transmission is completed (event S9), the central processing unit 31 controls the switch circuit 23 to connect the subscriber circuit 21 and the trunk circuit (in this case, the first trunk circuit 27) (processing S10). . As a result, the telephone 20a can be put into a call state (state S11).
[0049]
On the other hand, if the selected voice communication route is the second route, that is, the route through the Internet, at least the caller is notified of that fact. In this embodiment, this notification is started before the caller listens to the RBT. In addition, this notification is sent to the caller by an audible sound generated from the tone transmission device 25. Specifically, this is performed as follows.
[0050]
First, the central processing unit 31 sets a built-in timer (may be a separately prepared timer) to a predetermined value (processing S12). This predetermined value is determined according to how long the caller is notified that the second route is connected. The central processing unit 31 starts counting the set time.
[0051]
When the central processing unit 31 finishes setting the predetermined time in the timer, the central processing unit 31 controls the switch circuit 23 to connect the subscriber circuit 21 and the tone transmission device 25 (processing S13). As a result, the transmission switch 20 enters a notification operation execution state for notifying the caller that the second route has been selected (state S14).
[0052]
The frequency of the notification sound output from the tone transmitting device 25 in the notification operation execution state, the way to make it intermittent, and the like can be arbitrarily set so that the notification to the caller can be performed reliably.
[0053]
In this notification operation execution state, in this embodiment, the central processing unit 31 (1) receives the number information transmission completion signal from the second trunk circuit 29 before the timer expires. 1 event (event S15), (2) a second event (event S19) that receives a response from the incoming exchange 40 before the above-mentioned timer timeout, and (3) number information from the second trunk circuit 29 Before receiving either the transmission completion signal or the response from the terminating exchange 40, one of the three events, the third event in which the timer times out (event S20), is encountered.
[0054]
When the first event is encountered (event S15), the central processing unit 31 waits for a response from the incoming exchange 40 while monitoring the timeout of the timer (state S16). At this time, if there is a response from the incoming exchange 40 (event S17), the process proceeds to the process S10. Also, when the timer times out before there is a response from the incoming exchange 40 (event S18), the process proceeds to step S10.
[0055]
When the second event is encountered (event S19), the central processing unit 31 proceeds to the process S10.
[0056]
When the third event is encountered (event S20), the central processing unit 31 controls the switch circuit 23 to open the subscriber circuit 21 and the tone transmission device 25 (disconnected state). (Process S21). In the case of the third event, since the second trunk circuit 29 is still sending the number information of the incoming telephone to the incoming exchange 40, the process for the process S6 is terminated (state S8).
[0057]
When the predetermined processing for the first, second, or third event is completed, the subscriber circuit 21 is connected to the first trunk circuit 27 or the second trunk circuit 29 (state S11). It becomes.
[0058]
As is clear from the above description, according to each of the voice communication method, the communication route notification device, and the telephone switching network of this application, when the second communication route is selected as the voice communication route, at least that effect is indicated. The caller can be notified. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the caller is notified that the second communication route has been selected before the caller listens to the RBT. Therefore, since the caller can recognize that a communication route with poor sound quality has been selected before the call, it is possible to prevent anxiety and anxiety about the communication equipment even if a call quality abnormality occurs unexpectedly.
[0059]
Each invention of this application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many modifications and changes can be made.
[0060]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the first voice communication route is a route formed of a circuit-switched network and the second voice communication route is a route through the Internet. The voice communication route is not limited to these examples. For example, when the second voice communication route is a route with poor sound quality due to a higher information compression rate than the first voice communication route, or a route with poor sound quality due to a high signal attenuation rate, etc. Also, these inventions can be applied.
[0061]
The present invention can also be applied to cases where there are two or more second voice communication routes.
[0062]
Further, the notification procedure to the effect that the second communication route described in the above embodiment has been selected is merely an example within the scope of the present invention. The procedure for notifying that the second communication route has been selected can be changed to any suitable procedure as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the invention of the voice communication method of this application, the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communications having poor sound quality as compared with the first voice communication route. From the route, when the first voice communication route is vacant, the first route is automatically selected, and when the first voice communication route is not vacant, the second voice communication route is automatically selected to communicate the voice. When the second voice communication route is selected, at least the caller is notified of that fact.
[0064]
Therefore, when communication is performed via the second voice communication route, the caller can recognize that fact. Therefore, even if sound quality degradation is felt during the communication, it can be understood that the cause is that the second voice communication route has been selected. Therefore, the extent to which the caller feels uncomfortable or equipment failure is reduced.
[0065]
Further, according to the communication route notification device and the telephone exchange network of this application, from the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communication routes having poor sound quality compared to the first voice communication route, When the first voice communication route is vacant, the first route is automatically selected. When the first voice communication route is not vacant, the second voice communication route is automatically selected. When the voice communication route is selected, at least the caller can be automatically notified to that effect. Therefore, the above invention of the voice communication method can be easily implemented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment and is a diagram for explaining an overall configuration of a network.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment and is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an exchange;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of detour data used for selecting a voice communication route.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the telephone exchange network according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the telephone exchange network according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Telephone switching network 20 of the embodiment: Switch (outbound switch)
20a: Telephone (outgoing telephone)
21: subscriber circuit 23: switch circuit 25: tone transmission device 27: first trunk circuit 29: second trunk circuit 31: central processing unit 33: main storage devices 33a, 33a1, 33a2: detour data 35: communication route Notification device 35a: first means 35b: second means 40: exchange (incoming exchange)
40a: Telephone (incoming telephone)
61: First voice communication route 63: Second voice communication route

Claims (8)

When the first voice communication route is vacant from the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communication routes having poor sound quality compared to the first voice communication route, the first voice communication route In performing voice communication by automatically selecting the second voice communication route when the voice communication route is not available,
The voice communication is voice communication using a telephone,
After the central processing unit of the calling exchange receives the telephone number of the communication partner entered by the caller , and further makes a request to send the number information of the called telephone ,
If the second voice communication route is selected, at least notify the caller of that fact,
2. The voice communication method according to claim 1, wherein the notification is started before a sound (RBT) for calling the incoming side telephone reaches the outgoing side telephone. The voice communication method according to claim 1,
A voice communication method, wherein the notification is performed by at least one of an audible sound and a display. The voice communication method according to claim 1,
The first voice communication route is a route comprising a circuit switched network;
The voice communication method, wherein the second voice communication route is a route through the Internet. When the first voice communication route is vacant from the first voice communication route and one or more second voice communication routes having poor sound quality compared to the first voice communication route, the first voice communication route A voice communication route, and when not available, the second voice communication route is automatically selected and provided in a network for voice communication;
First means for detecting whether or not the second voice communication route has been selected after receiving the telephone number of the communication partner input by the caller and making a request for sending the number information of the called telephone ; ,
A second means for notifying at least the caller when the second voice communication route is selected,
The network is a network using a telephone;
The communication route notification device, wherein the second means is means for starting the notification before a sound (RBT) for calling the incoming side telephone reaches the outgoing side telephone. In the communication route notification device according to claim 4,
The communication route notification device, wherein the second means is means for emitting an audible sound. In the communication route notification device according to claim 4,
The communication route notification device, wherein the second means includes the notification display unit. In the communication route notification device according to claim 4,
The first voice communication route is a route comprising a circuit switched network;
The communication route notification device, wherein the second voice communication route is a route through the Internet.   A telephone exchange network comprising the communication route notification device according to claim 4.

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